After a car accident, one of the most crucial things you need is a copy of your Charlotte, NC, car accident report.
However, the hours and even days following an accident are often a blur, and obtaining a copy of your report may be the last thing on your mind.
You may be recovering from injuries and suffering financial stress due to being unable to work.
Remember, your personal injury attorney can always help you obtain your crash report. Read on to learn more about car accident reports, their importance, and how to get your Charlotte car accident report.
What Is a Charlotte Car Accident Report?
A Charlotte crash report is identified as form DMV-349 and contains a wide variety of information about your accident.
Police are required to fill out a report if a car accident resulted in any of the following:
- A fatality,
- Personal injury to any involved party,
- Property damage amounting to $1,000 or more,
- Damage of any amount to a seized vehicle, or
- A seized and forfeited vehicle.
Ask the reporting law enforcement officer for the report number if you can. Additionally, you can provide your information to automatically receive a copy of the accident report when it is assigned to a police officer for follow-up.
How To Get Your Charlotte Car Accident Report
Only persons qualified to receive an accident report may make a request for a Charlotte car accident report in person, online, or by telephone. Qualified individuals include the following:
- Operators of a vehicle involved in a crash,
- Registered owners of a car involved in a collision, and
- Passengers in a car that was involved in a collision.
When requesting your copy, you must also present a copy of a valid government-issued photo identification card or document.
Some injured victims may be recovering from serious injuries and are unable to get a copy of their accident report on their own.
If you need assistance or have questions about obtaining a copy of your accident report, your personal injury attorney can also assist you.
In Person
You may obtain a copy of your Charlotte, NC, car accident report for free at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department LEC Records Desk or a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Division Office.
The main headquarters is at 601 E. Trade Street, Charlotte, 28202, and is open from Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
You may also obtain a copy at the West Service Area at 4150 Wilkinson Boulevard or at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Division Office at 3505 Central Avenue.
Online
Persons qualified to obtain a copy of an accident report may also get it through LexisNexis. To get a copy, you must provide the following information:
- Your name,
- The Charlotte car accident report number,
- The date of the incident, and
- The location or street where the accident occurred.
The website charges a convenience fee of $6.00 to obtain a copy of your accident report. You may also direct any questions to the Records Unit of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department by phone at 704-336-2848.
You can also obtain a copy of your Charlotte car accident report via email by emailing the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Records Unit at cpmdpolicerecords@cpmd.org.
Common Types of Car Accidents
A car accident can occur in any number of ways. If you suffered injuries in a collision, your personal injury attorney will investigate the cause of your car accident to determine liability.
Even if you don’t see the type of accident you were in listed here, it’s still vital to speak to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to explore your options for compensatory relief.
Single-Car Accidents
Single-car accidents involve only one vehicle. You may suffer injuries in this type of accident if you lose control of your car for some reason. Various external factors may lead to a single-car accident, including:
- Poorly maintained roadways,
- A mechanic failing to ensure your car was safe, or
- Swerving to avoid a reckless driver.
In some situations, a third party, such as a city, county, state, manufacturer, or mechanic, may be held responsible for your injuries and other damages.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions are the most common type of car accident. Usually, these accidents occur when a car stops suddenly and the vehicle behind it cannot stop in time. A chain reaction may also occur, causing rear-end collisions involving more than two vehicles.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions are serious accidents, especially when they occur at high speeds. This type of accident almost always causes severe injury and even death.
Drunk drivers, reckless behavior, or driving while fatigued are common causes of head-on collisions. Obtain a copy of your Charlotte, NC, car accident report if you were involved in a head-on collision.
These types of accidents often cause serious injuries, such as severe brain injuries, spine injuries, and internal bleeding, for which you are entitled to recover compensation.
Rollover Accidents
Rollover accidents are often caused by speeding, drunk drivers, dangerous road conditions, and inclement weather.
Vehicles can flip on their side or flip completely upside down if they hit a curve in the road at too high a speed or swerve sharply to avoid a collision.
Rollovers are dangerous because the driver and other passengers can be thrown from the car or crushed when the vehicle rolls over.
These accidents also usually result in significant vehicle damage. If someone else’s negligence caused your rollover accident, contact a qualified personal injury attorney to explore your options for compensatory relief.
Side-Impact Accidents
Side-impact accidents are also often referred to as T-bone accidents. These accidents often occur when a driver runs a red light and hits another vehicle that was lawfully entering the intersection.
Because the at-fault drivers are usually speeding, these accidents often cause serious injuries such as internal bleeding, head injuries, spinal injuries, and broken bones.
Many serious injuries, like internal bleeding and brain injuries, may not be immediately apparent. That’s why you should always seek immediate medical attention if you are involved in a T-bone collision or any other type of car accident.
Contact Us
At Mehta and McConnell, PLLC, we understand that hiring an attorney can be stressful as you try to recover from a car accident.
That’s why we are dedicated to making the legal process as easy for you as possible. We have over 30 years of combined legal experience handling cases of all levels of complexity, and we always prioritize the needs and interests of our clients.
Our team has the knowledge, dedication, and experience to deliver the results you deserve. Contact us today for a free case review to find out how we can help you.
Jason McConnell
Jason McConnell is the managing attorney of Mehta & McConnell Injury Lawyers, a Charlotte, North Carolina Workers’ Compensation law firm. In his free time he enjoys playing golf, cooking, traveling and following the UNC Tar Heels and Carolina Panthers.
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